A BRACE apiece from Andrew Dryden and Nigel Rodgers ensured North Shields YMCA kept their slender lead at the top of Division One of the Northumbria Summer Table Tennis League.

However, they were held to a 5-5 draw at St Chad’s, for whom Keith Weatherby was unbeaten.

Three from John Rowell and two each from Chas Robertson and Graeme Bell, plus the doubles, assured Newton of an 8-2 victory in Division Two at Byker A, who could only manage two from Mark Kimberley.

A singles hat-trick from Tom Marley was not enough to prevent Saints from going down 6-4 in Division Three at Whitehouse Lane, whose main successes were Mick Hope and Charlie Mouzon (two wins each).

In Division Four, a brace apiece from Mark Rodgers, Allen Tarn and Mike Lyons plus the doubles were enough for Ouston to see off Cramlington Dynamos 7-3, with Aubrey Drapkin (2) doing best for the Dynamos.